Parkview Medical Center
has earned the Joint Commission's
Gold Seal of Approval.
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Parkview earns National Innovation Award from Avatar International
PUEBLO, Colo. (August 2, 2011) — Avatar International, an industry leader in healthcare quality improvement services, announced on July 15, 2011, that Parkview Medical Center was the recipient of a National Innovation Award. Avatar International has a database of 450 hospitals nationwide and Parkview was one of seven to be recognized with this prestigious award.
Parkview was the recipient of the award based on a 30-week performance improvement project in the emergency department that began in August 2009. The goals of the project were to reduce length of stay for emergency room patients, as well as improve patient satisfaction.
“In an emergency situation, patients want and deserve the best medical attention – fast,” explained Parkview Medical Center CEO, Mike Baxter. “Nationwide emergency department overcrowding and long wait times continue to be a growing concern. With Parkview Medical Center’s environment of continuous quality improvement we had an opportunity to enhance our services for southern Colorado families.”
Parkview created a multi-disciplinary team to streamline processes and track opportunities for improvement. Through the diligent and creative efforts of this team, the length of stay in the emergency department was reduced 28 percent. Improved triage, data driven decision making and focused communication processes with supporting departments, such as laboratory, radiology, bed placement and inpatient floors are examples of how success was achieved in reducing length of stay in the emergency department. In addition to reducing the length of stay, the team found opportunities to enhance patients’ experience in the emergency department. Patient satisfaction scores have improved 17percentile points since the project began.
“The emergency department at Parkview is the only state designated and American College of Surgeons verified Level II Trauma Center south of Denver,” said Renee Elwell, Director of Emergency Services. “We have become the emergency department of choice in the region and we want to provide our customers with the highest level and quality of care every time they walk through our doors. This award recognizes the extraordinary efforts the Parkview team has made to enhance our services.”
“Parkview is extremely proud of this award. The entire Parkview team; employees, physicians, volunteers and board of directors, all played a role in the reduction of wait times, the enhanced patient experience and ultimately being recognized nationally for our efforts,” Baxter concluded.
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Founded in 1923, Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado, offers general acute healthcare and behavioral health specialty services. As a private, non-profit organization, Parkview is licensed for 350 acute-care beds and provides a full range of healthcare services including the region’s only certified and verified Level II Trauma Center as well as the region’s first certified Stroke Center. Parkview Medical Center is the leader in cardiac, women’s, emergency, and neurological services as well as behavioral health programs. As a vital healthcare source, Parkview’s service area includes Pueblo County and 14 surrounding counties, which together represent 350,000 total lives.
Parkview Medical Center is the largest non-government, nonprofit, private sector employer in Pueblo County with more than 2,400 employees and provides a skilled medical staff of over 300 physicians. The impact of our workforce triggers a strong impact on the community as Parkview’s annual payroll contributes $84.5 million to the economy.For more details, please visit www.parkviewmc.org. |
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